Explore the Netherlands by train with a Eurail pass and travel from easy-going capital Amsterdam to cities covered with history like Utrecht and Maastricht. While in the Netherlands, consider a visit to the Keukenhof flower gardens and the traditional houses of the Zaanse Schans. Spot tulip fields along the way, as the train takes you to every corner of this small, but fascinating country.
Intercity (IC)
Connects major cities such as Amsterdam, Maastricht and Utrecht.
No reservation required.
Sprinter (RE)
Slower than Intercity trains, these trains link regional destinations to larger Dutch cities.
No reservation required.
Intercity Direct (ICD)
ICE (ICE)
Connects Amsterdam with Frankfurt (Germany) and Basel (Switzerland).
Reservations are optional. It's worth making one if you'll be travelling at a busy period.
Intercity Berlin (IC)
Reach Berlin from Amsterdam in 6 hours 20 minutes.
Reservations are optional only. We recommend reserving when travelling during a busy period.
Intercity Brussels (IC)
Thalys (THA)
Eurostar (EST)
Here are approximate train times between Holland's most popular cities. These routes can all be taken with Intercity trains and are free for holders of an Eurail Pass valid in the Netherlands.
| Route | Duration |
|---|---|
Amsterdam to Groningen |
2h 10m |
Amsterdam to Leeuwarden |
2h 10m |
Amsterdam to Maastricht |
2h 30m |
Amsterdam to Rotterdam |
40m |
Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport |
15m |
Amsterdam to The Hague |
50m |
Amsterdam to Utrecht |
27m |
You can travel to and from the Netherlands from popular cities in the following European countries:
| Route | Which train? | Duration | Reservations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam to Berlin (Germany) | Intercity Berlin | 6h 20m | Optional |
| Amsterdam to Düsseldorf (Germany) | ICE | 2h 10m | Optional |
| Amsterdam to Frankfurt (Germany) | ICE | 4h | Optional |
| Amsterdam to Basel (Switzerland) | ICE | 6h 40m | Optional |
| Amsterdam to Paris (France) | Thalys | 3h 20m | Required |
| Amsterdam to Brussels (Belgium) | Intercity Brussels | 2h 50m | Not required |
| Amsterdam to London (Great Britain) | Eurostar | 4h 50m |
Required |
| Amsterdam to Vienna / Innsbruck (Austria) | ÖBB Nightjet | 13h 45m (overnight) | Required |
| Amsterdam to Zürich (Switzerland) | ÖBB Nightjet | 11h 35m (overnight) | Required |
Domestic trains in the Netherlands do not require a reservation. You can just hop on and off. A supplement is required for the InterCity Direct high-speed train (formerly known as Fyra) between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, but not between Amsterdam and Schiphol Airport. Reservations are compulsory for international night trains and international high-speed trains. Prices for night trains depend on the type of sleeping accommodation you choose.
You can make reservations for domestic and international high-speed trains and night trains:
Through our Reservation Service.
At a ticket desk at local train stations.
By phone through the NS high-speed call center.
Phone number: +31 030 2300023
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. (8:00-21:00) and Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (10:00-18:00) (local times). When calling, you’ll hear a menu in Dutch. Select extension ‘1’ for services in English and then ‘1’ to book the Thalys or ‘2’ to book other trains. NS International can book trains in various European countries (€12.50 booking fee; 2 reservations per call allowed). You have to pay for reservations made over the phone with a Visa or MasterCard credit card.
Through the call center reservations can only be delivered to addresses in the Netherlands. There are no delivery costs. You can also pick up your reservations at a NS International ticket desk or at a self-service machine. Just go to a Dutch train station with a NS International desk with your booking code.
Discover Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg by rail.
Standard prices from $ 118
Be free to visit the Netherlands and up to 32 other Eurail countries.
Standard prices from $ 208
Discounted ferry travel is an extra benefit of a Eurail pass valid in the Netherlands on the route:
Hoek van Holland – Harwich (Great-Britain)
Eurail first-class pass holders can also access the NS International lounges on the following train stations for free:
Amsterdam Centraal
Breda
Rotterdam Centraal
Schiphol
The Netherland's 3 main hubs have connections to many domestic and international destinations. They are:
Amsterdam Central Station
Rotterdam Central Station
Utrecht Central Station
The Netherlands' railway stations are extemely well developed with excellent facilities:
Lockers for storing your stuff
Cash machines and foreign exchange desks
Cafés, restaurants and shops
Tourist information offices
Elevators, escalators and access for disabled passengers
The main hub stations in the Netherlands are Amsterdam Centraal, Rotterdam Centraal and Utrecht Centraal. At these train stations, it's possible to connect to trains to the Netherlands’ main cities and many international destinations.
Please note that the Dutch Railways have closed the entry gates to many Dutch stations. To get into the station, look up the square barcode on your Eurail pass cover. Hold the barcode against the scanner next to an entry gate, and the gate will open for you.
One of the best ways to explore the country is by cycling shorter distances while riding the country's efficient trains between towns and cities.
Cycling is extemely common in the Netherlands. You can rent bikes from most large train stations.
You'll usually find the local spelling of Dutch cities on train timetables and at train stations in the Netherlands.
Good to know:
Centraal Station = Central Station
Den Haag = The Hague
Hoek van Holland = Hook of Holland
Capital: Amsterdam
Population: 16.8 million
Language: Dutch
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Dialing code: +31
You cannot change the currency once you have a Pass in your cart. Remove the Pass, and then change the currency on the website header.
